England are confident full-back Jason Robinson will play in their World Cup warm-up games after knee surgery.

Robinson, injured in the first Test against South Africa, will have an arthroscopy next Thursday to clear out minor debris in his right knee.

"It is anticipated that he will be available for selection for the games against Wales and France," said a Rugby Football Union statement.

England face Wales at Twickenham on 4 August and France a week later.

They will then play France in Marseille on 18 August before their World Cup opener against USA in Lens on 8 September.

Robinson captained an England side missing around 35 top players in their 58-10 defeat in Bloemfontein two weeks ago but was forced to fly home after the injury.

Jonny Wilkinson took the reins for the 55-22 defeat which followed in Pretoria.

While England hope Robinson will be available for the August Tests, he will miss a 12-day World Cup training camp in Portugal from 25 June.

But head coach Brian Ashton will be able to call upon Robinson's three Sale team-mates - Charlie Hodgson, Andrew Sheridan and Mark Cueto - when he names a 40-strong squad for that trip next Friday, 15 June.

Hodgson has recovered from a serious knee injury sustained on England duty last November, while Sheridan (torn knee ligament) and Cueto (calf) have also returned to fitness after lay-offs.